So I currently have a 328i base loaner. The only option it has on it is the premium package. I was falling in love with it, flinging it around the corners and getting up to the speed limit in a split second at every light. Until I went around a turn and discovered alarmingly that all the cars were at a dead stop (multi car accident that just happened) so I had to break hard, really hard. ABS had activated but I wasn't stopping as fast as I needed to! Now these are all seasons, which I think had a lot to do with it. I stopped probably less than 1 foot away from the bumper of the vehicle in front of me.

I had another emergency stop a few years ago that I had to do in my z4 and the 328i was pathetic in comparison. I must give it some credit though, if I was in my Honda Accord, I'd be one more car in the accident which already had 4 cars in it.

I miss my car already. In all fairness, I think the 328i would be great with the M-sport package. However, my problem is that I would have too much fun with it. The 335i is heavier and feels more planted with more growl, which makes me want to drive it normally, knowing you have power if you need it. I needed to constantly push the 328i to hear the engine noise I love. Also, I didn't think you could get 20 MPG for the 328i, but apparently you can...

I haven't tried breaking hard in my 335i M Sport, but I sure hope it's better than this one otherwise I gotta start driving more slowly.

328 brakes are definitely weak. weaker than e90 brakes and weaker than they should be for a 328.

they will get the job done, barley.

I drove a 335 Sport and the brakes felt as they had less bite than the M-Sport pads on my 328.

In this story, I think it's all about the M-Sport pads have good bite and the braking relies SO much on tires. The base 17" all seasons are a world away from staggered summer tires on M-Sport equipped cars.

I drove a 335 Sport and the brakes felt as they had less bite than the M-Sport pads on my 328.

In this story, I think it's all about the M-Sport pads have good bite and the braking relies SO much on tires. The base 17" all seasons are a world away from staggered summer tires on M-Sport equipped cars.

Good to hear. I'm going to drive this one like a granny now until I get mine back.

I drove a 335 Sport and the brakes felt as they had less bite than the M-Sport pads on my 328.

In this story, I think it's all about the M-Sport pads have good bite and the braking relies SO much on tires. The base 17" all seasons are a world away from staggered summer tires on M-Sport equipped cars.

I test drove a msport 328 too. was very disappointed in the brakes in al lines of the 328. Not sure if you ever drove an e90 but its noticeable better.

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BMW made a choice with the base 328i - less dust and squeak for less bite. There is no magic bullet brake pad. You can have great braking, or clean/quiet braking but not both. In BMW's estimation US customers would rather have quiet and clean brakes than great stopping brakes. People seem to think that a luxury car's brakes should not make a peep. In reading some of the posts here with people complaining about their M Sport brake pads squeaking, with multiple trips to the dealer, it seems BMW read the market correctly!

Note that an easy fix is to replace the US 328i pad with the euro 328i pad. It is an easy job, relatively inexpensive, and warranty safe.

But as an aside I drove my car on the track with the stock pads and they were fine. Even with r-compounds installed, I had little fade and stopping distances were reasonable. Since heating them up nicely on the track, it seems they work better around town than they did before.

so the standard msport brakes are different the sport line brakes? i didnt realize that. i also didnt know the euro brakes were different, i might have to look in to swapping mine out. ive never had problems stopping but do think they could be improved.

so the standard msport brakes are different the sport line brakes? i didnt realize that. i also didnt know the euro brakes were different, i might have to look in to swapping mine out. ive never had problems stopping but do think they could be improved.

This is not true (for europe at least).The 328i has the same brakes across all lines, and then u have the M Sport Brakes (blue caliper) option 2NH for the M Sport. Same brakes as the aftermarket M Performance Brakes (yellow, red and orange calipers). Only difference, in europe, is that the Performance brakes have slotted discs. Otherwise same size n pads etc between the two M variants.

...ABS had activated but I wasn't stopping as fast as I needed to! Now these are all seasons, which I think had a lot to do with it. I stopped probably less than 1 foot away from the bumper of the vehicle in front of me...

A common misperception is that ABS helps you stop shorter.

Incorrect. ABS ensures that you can steer during what would normally be a situation in which the wheels would lock up. In fact, when ABS is operating, you will definitely take longer to stop in terms of distance.

Think about it: without ABS, you'd lose all control of the car because you're skidding. ABS is not about decreasing stopping distance; it's about maintaining control of the direction of the car.

The tires in this car may have added to the stopping distance. But it sounds like speed was the real issue, as it almost always is.

Incorrect. ABS ensures that you can steer during what would normally be a situation in which the wheels would lock up. In fact, when ABS is operating, you will definitely take longer to stop in terms of distance.

Think about it: without ABS, you'd lose all control of the car because you're skidding. ABS is not about decreasing stopping distance; it's about maintaining control of the direction of the car.

The tires in this car may have added to the stopping distance. But it sounds like speed was the real issue, as it almost always is.

You're wrong on this point . While it will allow you to steer because your wheels haven't locked up,to say it will take longer to stop just isn't true. On wet pavement or icy conditions ABS will stop shorter.

Incorrect. ABS ensures that you can steer during what would normally be a situation in which the wheels would lock up. In fact, when ABS is operating, you will definitely take longer to stop in terms of distance.

Think about it: without ABS, you'd lose all control of the car because you're skidding. ABS is not about decreasing stopping distance; it's about maintaining control of the direction of the car.

The tires in this car may have added to the stopping distance. But it sounds like speed was the real issue, as it almost always is.

True but there are some exceptions. While the purpose of anti-lock braking isn't to shorten the stopping distances, some surfaces it can. Dry/Wet pavement it actually has been proven to shorten stopping distance by keeping the wheel rolling. Ice, snow, gravel, packed snow. ABS dramatically lengthend the stopping distance as compared to conventional locking of the wheels. The real benefit like you mentioned earlier would be that you still maintain steering control during panic stops.

You're wrong on this point . While it will allow you to steer because your wheels haven't locked up,to say it will take longer to stop just isn't true. On wet pavement or icy conditions ABS will stop shorter.

It's the lack of understanding about ABS that makes so many yahoos drive like they do, especially in inclement weather and in 4WD/AWD vehicles. We have a special name for them here in Boston: "Massholes."

See this link. Hopefully, you'll accept the facts and alter your driving to match the laws of physics.